From Lee atOfoto:
Jimmy,
I’ve refrained from speaking on the subject up to now, but I’m finally
moved from silence.
Your point about the power of words is quite appropriate. I’m all for
reclaiming words of ‘negative power’ and turning them back on their
users. That’s a personal choice and empowers me to change my view.
I’ll call myself a queer or a queen or a fag. My choice denies the
abuser his power over me.
However, it’s important to recognize that there are still people alive
who suffered under Hitler, people who’s families were murdered, people
who’s fathers died fighting the war the ended Hitler’s power. It’s
important to recognize that to those people, the term "Nazi" continues
invoke more than just textbook horror. It’s important to recognize
that while the pain may not be real to you, it’s very real to them. I
won’t tell them to reclaim that word, or just ‘get over it.’
While I’m sure that the choice of screen name by the user in question
wasn’t done in any effort to consciously hurt these people, it’s worth
reminding the user that there are still people alive hurt by that
power. In public forums where we try to speak to the power of healing
and of joy, it seems sad to continue to use a name that reminds people
of pain and personal loss.
Lee
On Mar 3, 2004, at 8:07 AM, Jimmy wrote:
Words don’t define us. We define them. It’s time to stop taking
offense to every little thing because of the past. Hitler is dead.
Germany lost both world wars. Yet we still act like he is alive.
